A Greensburg man in jail since January was paroled Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges.
Bryan J. Thompson, 56, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts in connection with allegations he failed to get medical attention for his 3-year-old dog, a rottweiler named Leo. One felony count of aggravated animal cruelty was dismissed.
Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Stewart sentenced Thompson, to time served since his arrest on Jan. 18 up to 23 months in jail.
According to court records, staff at Harry’s Bar, where Thompson patronized, spotted the animal in medical distress. Police said Thompson insisted the animal was under veterinary care and was being treated, but failed to produce evidence that substantiated his claims.
The dog was removed from Thompson’s care and taken for medical treatment for what police said were injuries that included body punctures, an abscess on its right elbow and an infection related to a botched tail docking, a medical procedure that involves the surgical shortening of a tail.
Assistant Public Defender Michael Garofalo declined to say if Thompson offered any explanations for the dog’s treatment.
“He’s agreed to have no custody of animals during his period of supervision,” Garofalo said.
